To avoid unnecessary problems and downtime when assembling your Automotive Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic equipment, follow these hints and tips:

Tip 1:

Maintain cleanliness as contamination is the cause of many hydraulic issues.

Tip 2:

Check for any possible opening and affirm that it is completely and thoroughly sealed. 

Tip 3:

Avoid grinding or welding in areas where Automotive Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic components and systems are being installed. Ensure that all cylinder, valve, pump, and hose connections are sealed or capped until just before use.

Tip 4:

Store mineral spirits in safety containers.

Tip 5:

Use filtered and dry air hoses to clean hydraulic fittings and components to prevent contamination. Refer to our guide on air contamination for more details.

Tip 6:

Inspect pipe fittings and hose assemblies before use to ensure they are free of burrs, dirt, and scale. Ream all pipe and tubing ends to prevent restriction and turbulent flow.

Tip 7:

If you encounter any straight thread connections, it is best practice to use a type of tape other than teflon. 

Tip 8:

Align coupling halves as closely as possible (within 0.007 inches) when installing hydraulic pumps or motors. For flexible couplings, follow the Automotive Lift Repair Orlando recommendations or allow 1/32 to 1/16 inch clearance between the coupling halves.

Tip 9:

Do not drive couplings onto pump or motor shafts; they should be a slip fit or shrunk on using hot hydraulic oil.

Tip 10:

Use a Automotive Lift Repair Orlando dry spray-on lubricant on splines during installation to prevent wear and extend the splines’ lifespan. Ensure shafts are parallel and yokes are in line when using double universal joint couplings.

Tip 11:

Align V-belt pulleys on pumps or motors as closely as possible, installing them with minimal overhang close to the pump or motor face to extend bearing surface life.

Hydraulic oil is a fundamental fluid in hydraulic systems, and regular checking and maintenance are crucial.

 Features and Functions of Automotive Lift Repair Orlando Hydraulic Oil:

– Viscosity: Measures how well the fluid flows at different temperatures.

– Low Temperature Fluidity: Ensures ease of flow in cold conditions.

– Thermal and Oxidative Stability: Prevents contamination from sludge build-up.

– Hydrolytic Stability / Water Tolerance: Prevents contamination from water.

– Cleanliness and Filterability: Regular maintenance reduces contamination.

– Demulsibility: The ability to separate water from oil.

– Anti-Wear Properties: Enhances the lifespan of components.

– Corrosion Control: Prevents corrosion of components.

– Biodegradability: Manages environmental impact.

 Composition of Hydraulic Oil:

Hydraulic oil typically includes mineral oil and esters. Esters are carbon-based compounds formed by substituting the hydrogen of an acid with an alkyl group. Other main elements include glycol, silicone, and ethers, which are highly flammable and volatile liquids containing an oxygen atom linking two alkyl groups.

Various chemical additives are added to most hydraulic oils to enhance performance and protect both the oil and the equipment. These additives prevent corrosion, rusting, and water contamination. It is vital to choose the appropriate oil for your system, as the wrong oil can cause performance issues or even permanent damage to your system and components.

 Situations to Avoid Using Oil:

Most hydraulic systems use oil-based hydraulic fluids, but there are situations where oil should be avoided, such as in environments with potential ignition sources like sparks, open flames, or hot metal. In these hazardous settings, a leak from a high-pressure hydraulic system could lead to an explosion or a serious fire. The term “ATEX” refers to the French “atmosphères explosibles” and is used to describe the framework for controlling explosive atmospheres.

 Choosing the Right Oil:

There are various types of Automotive Lift Repair Orlando hydraulic oil for different applications, and it is essential to select the right one for your system. Hydraulic oil is used in three main groups of equipment and areas: mobile, industrial, and aviation. Each group requires different types of hydraulic oil based on operating conditions and equipment demands.

 Specific Types of Hydraulic Oil:

– Low Temperature Hydraulic Oil: Designed for use in harsh, cold environments, often with anti-freeze additives to prevent freezing.

  

– Heat-Resistant Hydraulic Oil: Maintains suitable viscosity at high temperatures to prevent leaks and loss of properties.

– High-Pressure Hydraulic Oil: Contains additives that prevent wear and allow smooth operation under high stress, commonly used in construction applications.

– Environmentally-Friendly Hydraulic Oil: Biodegradable oils, often made from rapeseed and other vegetable oils, used in applications where oil spills or leaks could pose environmental risks.

 Hydraulic Oil Viscosity

Hydraulic oil viscosity determines how smoothly the oil flows through a hydraulic system. Higher viscosity means the oil is thicker and flows more slowly, making it harder to transport through the system. Conversely, lower viscosity oil flows more easily.

 Viscosity and Temperature

Viscosity plays a crucial role in selecting the right hydraulic oil for your system. There is a direct relationship between the oil’s viscosity and its temperature. As the temperature of the oil rises, its viscosity decreases, similar to how cooking oil becomes thinner and flows more easily when heated. Conversely, lower temperatures make the oil thicker and more resistant to flow.

For optimal performance, hydraulic oil must maintain effective viscosity across varying temperatures, which is essential as applications become more demanding.

 Viscosity Index

The viscosity index measures how much the viscosity of hydraulic oil changes with temperature. A lower viscosity index indicates that the oil’s viscosity changes more with temperature fluctuations, whereas a higher index means less change. Oils with high viscosity indexes are better suited for harsh environments and varying temperatures.

Accurate viscosity is critical for your application and temperature requirements, even if the oil includes anti-wear, anti-oxidation, or anti-corrosion properties. Incorrect viscosity can lead to equipment damage, operational issues, and reduced service life.

Different Automotive Lift Repair Orlando pumps have varying viscosity requirements. The main types of pumps in hydraulic systems are vane pumps, piston pumps, and gear pumps (both internal and external). Each type is suited for different applications.

Vane Pumps:

Vane pumps contain rotors with slots attached to a rotating shaft and cam ring. They can wear out due to constant contact between surfaces, making them less cost-effective for maintenance. However, they provide stable flow and work best with viscosities between 14 to 160 centistokes (cSt) at normal operating temperatures.